Design and Construction
The Sirena 38 measures 11.62 meters overall, with a 9.2-meter waterline and a beam of 3.11 meters. Her length-to-beam ratio is 3.76, making her slimmer than 90% of comparable sailboat designs.
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, and the keel is lead. Displacement is 5,200 kg, including 2,140 kg of ballast. That gives her a 42% ballast ratio, higher than 62% of similar designs. Her DL-ratio of 180 puts her in the “light racers” category, with 82% of peer designs weighing more.
The guard rails are listed as measuring 9.36 meters high and 8.64 meters low, though those figures likely vary from boat to boat.
Rig and Sail Plan
The fractional rig carries a mast 15 meters above the deck and 16.5 meters overall. The stated sail area is 60 m², split into a 37 m² mainsail and a 26 m² jib. A 24.3 m² self-tacking jib and a 40 m² genoa are also specified, while the spinnaker measures 98 m².
With the ISO reference sail, the Sirena 38 has an SA/D of 19.7, rising to 22.8 with a 135% genoa. Reviewers calculated that she is faster than 76% of similar designs in light wind while carrying more rig than 96% of them—significantly overrigged by that measure.
The halyard and sheet specifications are generous. The main and jib/genoa halyards run about 34.8 meters at 12 mm, while the mainsheet is 38 meters at 14 mm.
Performance and Handling
The classic hull-speed formula gives the Sirena 38 a figure of 7.87 knots. A displacement-boat maximum of 7.4 knots is also cited, along with a calculated maximum speed of around 5.1 knots. Her LYS rating is 1.22.
The Motion Comfort Ratio falls between 23.6 and 25.0, making her more comfortable than 31% of similar designs. Her capsize screening value is 1.79.
Draft ranges from 1.75 to 1.83 meters, depending on load, which keeps her within most marina depths. The immersion rate is about 192 kg/cm.
Accommodations
Below, the Sirena 38 offers 1.85 meters of cabin height. That standing headroom and her moderate beam define the living space available, with the narrow hull providing less interior volume than broader boats of similar length.
Verdict
The Sirena 38 is a narrow, lightly built eighties racer-cruiser with a notably tall rig for her size and a lead fin keel. She rewards her crew with light-air speed and easy marina access, but offers less beam and comfort than most comparable designs.
Pros
- Slim, light hull with a high ballast ratio and lead keel
- Fractional rig with a large sail area and strong light-wind performance
- Moderate draft suitable for most marinas
Cons
- Narrow beam limits interior volume compared with peers
- Comfort ratio is below that of most similar designs
- Significantly overrigged relative to the class norm
